Collapsible combination storm and screen sash unit



March 31, 1959 N. LIETTEN 2,879,341

COLLAPSIBLE COMBINATION STORM AND SCREEN SASH UNIT Filed Aug. 50, 1954 2 SheetsSheet 1 INVENTOR. NICHOLAS 1.. ETTEN a 39 do; I

.{z:' ATTORNEYS N. L. ETTEN March 3 1, 1959 COLLAPSIBLE COMBINATION STORM AND SCREEN SASH UNIT Filed Aug. 50, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. NICHOLAS L. ETTEN ATTORNE United States Patent COLLAPSIBLE COMBINATION STORM AND SCREEN SASH UNIT Nicholas L. Etten, Cedar Falls, Iowa, assignor to Chamiierlain Corporation, Waterloo, Iowa, a corporation of owa Application August 30, 1954, Serial No. 452,977

Claims. (Cl. 160-96) A This invention relates to improvements in a combined storm and screen sash construction for mounting over a window 'or other opening in a building or the like, although the invention may have other uses and purposes as will be apparent to one skilled in the art.

More specifically, the invention includes a unitary storm and screen assembly that may be mountedand supported by a simple suspension from a pair of outwardly extending brackets on the top jamb of a window frame which receive a pair of members connected with the upper rail of the sash frame maintaining it in biased contact with the window frame. The combined storm and screen sash construction includes an upper glazed or storm sash, a lower screen sash pivotally connected thereto, and a second glazed or storm sash swingably attached centrally thereof for selective positioning with said upper storm sash or said lower screen sash.

Heretofore, there have been a number of combination storm and screen assemblies developed for mounting on window frames, but in all instances in which I am aware, such assemblies were not easily installed except by skilled practitioners, had no provision for easily and quickly converting the assembly from a complete storm unit to a ventilating unit according to the seasonal demands, had to be specially designed for each window to provide proper fitting, did not provide for easy cleaning without ice ally connecting them together which means consists of a plurality of three-leaf ofi'set hinges.

Another object of this invention resides in the provision of a collapsible combination storm sash and screen adapted to be suspended over a window frame, of a type which can be utilized in association, within reasonable limits, with varying sizes of window frames.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a collapsible combination storm sash and screen adapted to be suspended over a window frame, which need not be specially fitted to each window frame since it con! tacts only the outer marginal edges thereof.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a collapsible combination storm sash and screen unit adapted to be suspended over a window frame, with an expansion or sliding supporting hinge arrangement which always biases the unit inwardly against the window frame, and, when the unit is in a folded position for cleaning compensates for the added thickness and allows the outer sash to be spaced from the window frame. 1

While some of the more salient features, characteristics and advantages of the instant invention have been above pointed out, others will become apparent from the following disclosures, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the invention shown mounted in its closed position over a window frame of a building structure;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the invention showing the combination storm and screen sash unit in a at least partial dismantling, and were not sufiiciently economical.

. With the foregoing in mind, it is an object of this invention to provide a window structure of simple and economical construction having a combination convertible storm and screen sash arrangement which may be easily installed on window frames or removed therefrom by the unskilled layman.

, Another object of this invention is the provision of a combination storm sash and screen unit which may be easily collapsed to a relatively small size for storage or economic shipping. 7

A further feature of this invention is to provide a collapsible combination storm sash and screen unit wherein, because of its ease of collapsibility and operation, the layman, by himself, can effortlessly maneuver the structure for cleaning thereof, and without any excess exertion or difficulty convert the unit from summer to winter use or from winter to summer use.

Another feature of this invention is to provide a collapsible combinationstorm sash and screen adapted to be suspended over a window frame, with a pair of storm sashes and a screen sash pivotally hinged together wherein one of these storm sashes may be associated with either the other storm sash or the screen sash according to the seasonal demands.

Another feature of this invention is to provide a collapsible combination storm sash and screen adapted to be suspended over the window frame with a pair of Storm sashes and a screen sash having means for pivotposition away from the window frame, revealing a second swingably mounted storm sash, which may fold behind the screen sash making a storm window for winter or fold behind the upper storm sash for summer storage;

Figure 3 is another perspective view of the structure of Figures 1 and 2 showing the unit in its folded position to provide ready access to the window for cleaning purposes;

Figure 4 is an end elevational view of the expansible or slidable hinge which suspends the unit from the window frame;

Figure 5 is an end elevational view of the unit in its folded position as shown in Figure 3, and illustrating the expansible hinge in its outward position;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the three-leaf hinge used to pivotally interconnect the upper storm sash, the

lower screen sash and the inner storm sash;

Figure 7 is an exploded view of the three-leaf hinge shown in Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a perspective view similar to Figure l, but illustrating an alternative embodiment wherein the swingable storm sash is mounted on the outside;

Figure 9 is a perspective view similar to Figure 2 of the storm and screen sash unit of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the unit shown in Figure 8 wherein the lower storm sash and the screen sash is folded behind the upper storm sash for cleaning pur oses;

Figure 11 is an end elevational view of a modified expansible or sliding hinge associated with the embodiment of Figure 8;

Figure 12 is an end elevational view of the modified hinge showing the hinge plate in its outer position away from the window frame when the lower sash is folded behind the upper sash as shown in Figure 10; v

Figure 13 is a front view of the hinge bracket shown in Figures 11 and 12;

Figure 14 is a front view of the hinge plate shown in Figures ll and 12; and

Figure 15 is a perspective view of a modified hinge arrangement for interconnecting the three sashes.

As shown in the drawings:

Similar figures and letters indicate similar parts throughout the drawing, in which 16 indicates a house or building structure, 17 a window frame built in the house, and referring specially to Figures 1, 2 and 3, 18 a collapsible foldable storm and screen sash unit.

The window frame 17, being of the conventional type used solely for illustrating the operation and installation of the invention herein, constitutes no portion of the invention. It consists of side jambs 19, a sill 20, a top jamb 21, and lights or panes 22 and 23.

Referring now generally to Figures 1 and 2, the collapsible combination storm and screen unit 18 comprises an upper storm or glazed sash generally indicated by numeral 24, a lower screen sash generally indicated by the numeral 25 in alignment therewith, and centrally hinged thereto by a pair of three-leaf offset hinges 26 (Figures 6 and 7), and a second storm sash also connected to hinges 26 inwardly of the screen sash 25 as shown most clearly in Figure 2. The upper glazed sash 24 consists of a top rail 28, side rails 2929, a bottom rail 30 and a glass pane 31. The top rail 28 and the side rails 29 may be of aluminum, wood or any other suitable material and form the top half of the frame of the unit 18. Forming the bottom half of the frame are lower side rails 3232 in aligning and abutting relationship with the side rails 29 and bottom rail 33 of the lower screen sash 25. The top rail 36 of sash 25 lies coextensive with the bottom rail 30 of sash 24 and completes the framework of the lower sash 25 for supporting the screen 37. The lower rails 32 and 33 are likewise of aluminum, wood or any other suitable material, while the screen 37 may be of copper, brass, aluminum or any other suitable screening material. The inner storm sash 27, of course, includes top, side and bottom rails, and a glass pane, and is of a smaller size than the outer sash so that it may be received within the window frame 17, but of a size large enough to cover the screen 37 when associated therewith.

The upper and lower sashes 24 and 25, respectively, are of such size as to overlie the margin of the opening defined by the window frame and to snug against the inclined portion of the sill 20. The contour of the rails 28, 29, 32 and 33, while shown to have a rounded outer surface, may be flat or of any other suitable configuration. It is also understood that the glass pane 31 and the screen 37 may be interchanged within the scope of the invention, should such be desired.

As already stated, a pair of three-leaf offset hinges connect the three sashes 24, 25 and 27 to a common pivot point. Each hinge comprises three straps or leaves 38, 39 and 40 secured by screws 41 or other appropriate fastening means to sashes 25, 27 and 24, respectively. Extending at right angles from the flat L-shaped portion 42 of the leaf 38, and from the bottom edge thereof, is an upstanding ridge 43 on which are mounted rolled and apertured hinge pin ears 4 4, 45 and 46. Hinge leaf or strap 40 is similar but complementary to leaf 38, having an L-shaped body portion 47 inverted with respect to leaf 38, an upstanding ridge 48 merging with the inner end of the L-shaped plate 37, and hinge pin ears 49, 50 and' 51 on the ridge 48, but in staggered relationship wi h he a s f he eaf 38 o nt n ag m nt er with, While the upper and lower sashes are aifixed to the straps 38 and 40, the third strap or leaf 39 having a stubstantially square securing plate portion 52 merging with an inclined portion 53 on which ears '4 and 55 are mounted, swingably supports the, smaller glazed storm sash 27. The hinges 26 in their assemb e form in he s .9, 50 and. '51 f strap 40 engaging the inner ends of ears 44, 45 and 46 of strap 38, while the ears 54 and 55 of strap 39 interfit between the ears 45 and 49, and the ears 46 and 50, and a hinge pin 56 extends through all the ears to hold the plates in P p nqs tiqn a sh n n F ur Generally referring to Figures 4 and 5, expansible or slidable hinges 57 suspend the collapsible combination storm and screen unit 18 over the window frame 17. These hinges as well as hinges 26, although preferably constructed of a suitable non-corrosive metal, may be of any other suitable material. Specifically, the hinges 57 comprise a supporting bracket having a plate 58 secured by screws 59 or other like fasteners to the top jamb 21 of window frame 17, vertical flaps 60 extending outwardly from the opposite edges and at substantially right angles to plate 58 between which extends a cross pin or rod 61. A hook shaped hanger 62 is received by pin 61 and connected at its lower end by fasteners 63 or the like to the top rail 28 of the storm sash 24. Extending upwardly and outwardly from the securing plate 64 of hanger 62 which is united with sash 24 is an elongated portion 65 merging into a semi-cylindrical or rounded portion 66 from which an inwardly and downwardly sloped portion 67 extends substantially parallel to the portion 65, said downward extending portion 67 terminating in a substantially hooked shaped end 68.

Installation of my invention consists merely of properly positioning and securing a pair of supporting brackets to the top jamb of a window frame and raising the collapsible unit 18 so that the hook 62 will engage and ride over pin 61 of the brackets. Due to the construction of the expansible hinge 62, and especially, the downwardly sloping portions 67, the weight of the storm sash and screen unit 18 forces the hook to slide inwardly against the window frame, thereby continually biasing the unit 18 against the window frame as shown in Figure 1. Due to the action of the hinge, no fasteners are needed to assure a tight contact of unit 18 with the window frame 17; however, if desired, fasteners such as hooks and eyes 69 or the like may be provided. Moreover, since the unit is somewhat larger than the opening provided by the window frame 17, the side jamb and top jamb of the window frame are overlapped in tight sealing relationship by the side rails and top rail of the unit 18, while the bottom rail 33 of the sash 25 coacts with sill 20 to seal the lower end of the opening. If it may be further desired, rubber or cork strips or gaskets or other suitable sealing means (not shown) may be secured along the edges of either the top, bottom and side rails of the storm and screen sash unit 18, or the side and top jamb and sill of the window frame, to seal off the elements.

In use, in cold weather, the unit is suspended over the window frame with the sash 25 hanging downwardly and the storm sash 27 in abutting relation thereto, as shown in Figure 1, thus providing a complete storm window. Although not shown, the storm sash 27 may be fastened on the inside to the screen sash 25 or it may be merely allowed to hang since due to the inwardly inclined portion 52 of strap 39, the sash 27 will be biased towards the sash 25. When the season changes and the weather becomes warm, and ventilation is desired, it is a simple expedient to pivot the unit 18 on the hinges 57 outwardly away from the window frame, and swing thev storm sash 27 upwardly positioning it in abutting rela-.. tionship with the upper storm sash 24, where it may be, stored, and then allow the unit to pivot again toward the window frame and hang as shown in Figure 1. Again it is not necessary to fasten the storm sash 27 to the upper storm sash 24 since the window frame will perform this function, but if desired, such arrangements can be made within the scope of this invention. The lower screen sash might also be turned inwardly and upwardly with the storm sash 27 behind the storm sash 24, as shown in Figure 3. and Figure 5, for window cleaning purposes. Though the combined storm and screen sash, unit 18 may easily and effortlessly be dismantled by merely lifting it:

' off the supporting brackets, it is intended that the unit 18', shown in Figures 8, 9 and 10, having an upper storm sash 24, a lower screen sash 25 and a swingable storm sash 27', is a similar arrange uent to that just above described, with one exception, namely that the swingable storm sash is disposed outside the screen, and the upper and lower sash rails are recessed on the outside at 70 to accommodate the second storm sash 27'. A pivoted type of fastener such as indicated at 71, hooks and eyes or the like may be used to secure the storm sash 27' in locking engagement with either the upper storm sash 24 or the lower screen sash 25. The advantage of this embodiment is that the screen is protected during the winter season since it is covered as shown in Figure 8. Y

The operation of this embodiment is much the same as that of Figures 1, 2, and 3, the only change being that the storm sash 27' swings on the outside of the sashes 24' and 25'. A pair of reversed hinges, as shown in Figure 15, are utilized centrally of the sashes to permit pivoting of the storm sash 27' to its upper and lower position. In this embodiment, it is obvious that when the storm sash 27' is positioned in either its upper or lower locations, in accordance with the changes in the weather, there is no need to pivot the upper sash 24' and lower sash 25 outwardly away from the window frame as shown in Figure 9. It is again seen that the lower screen sash 25' and the storm sash 27 may be pivoted inwardly and upwardly behind the upper storm sash 24' for window cleaning purposes as shown in Figure 10 and Figure 12.

In Figures 11 through 14, a somewhat modified form of supporting hinge is illustrated. While this hinge arrangement is shown in use with the embodiment of Figures 8 through 10, it is understood that it may be utilized with the combination storm and screen sash unit of Figures 1 through 3. This hinge, generally designated at 72, and shown most clearly in Figures 11 through 14, may also be termed an expansible or sliding hinge support. The hinge bracket 73 comprises a securing plate 74 in abutting relation with the top window jamb 21 and secured thereto by screws 75 or other suitable fasteners, and a pair of outwardly and upwardly sloping lugs 76 adapted to receive a storm sash mounting plate 77. The substantially flat mounting plate 77 carries at its lower end an attaching portion 78 which is affixed to the top rail 28 of storm sash 24' by fasteners 79, and at its upper end an apertured portion 80 offset therefrom by an inclined portion 81 connecting the upper and lower portions. The aperture 82 in the upper portion 80 is substantially U-shaped to receive in its vertical opening portions lugs 76 and pads 83 are disposed on the inner surface of the upper plate 80 and directly above the vertical openings of aperture 82 to provide stronger and longer wearing bearing surfaces for the lugs 76. Again, by virtue of the downwardly and inwardly sloping edges of lugs 76, the sash frame unit 18 being suspended from mounting plates 77 is biased inwardly toward the window opening, and due to the offset portion of the mounting plates is allowed to firmly contact the window frame. As in the first embodiment, fasteners such as hooks and eyes 69 may be used to lock the sash frame unit 18' to the window frame, and fasteners such as pivotal members 71 lock the swingable storm sash 27 in engagement with either the lower screened sash 25' or the upper storm sash 24.

Thus, it is seen that the instant invention is extremely simple and economical to manufacture, may be easily adapted to window frames of varying sizes, within limits, without special fitting, may be easily installed and removed by a layman without special tools, may be easily converted from a complete storm window desirable in the winter season to a combination storm and screen sash unit for ventilation in the warmer season, and is long lived.

It will be understood that modifications and variations may be effected without departing from' the scope of the novel concepts of the present invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. A collapsible combination storm and screen assembly for a window structure having a top jamb comprising an upper glazed sash having top and bottom rails, pivotally connected to the top jamb of the window structure, a lower screen sash hingedly connected to the bottom rail of said upper glazed sash, and a second swingably mounted glazed sash connected to the bottom rail of said upper glazed sash, whereby said second sash may be nested either with said upper glazed sash or with the lower screen sash and against said window structure according to the seasonal demands.

2. In a window structure having a top jamb, an upper storm sash having top and bottom rails, pivotally connected to the top jamb of the window structure, a lower screen sash having top and bottom rails hingedly connected at its top rail to the bottom rail of said upper storm sash, a second storm sash pivotally associated with the first said sashes, whereby said second storm sash may be selectively disposed into intimate contact with either of the first said sashes and against said window structure.

3. In a window structure, a three-piece combination storm and screen assembly adapted to be hung over a built-in window frame, including an upper storm sash having top and bottom rails, a lower screen sash having top and bottom rails hingedly connected at its top rail to the bottom rail of said upper storm sash, and a second storm sash pivotally mounted at the juncture of the upper and lower sashes, whereby said second storm sash may be selectively nested with said upper or lower sash and against said window frame.

4. In combination storm sash and screen assembly for a window structure, a glazed sash, a second glazed sash pivotally connected at its upper part to the top jamb of said window structure, a screen sash, and hinge means connecting said second glazed sash and said screen sash to the lower part of the first said glazed sash for selective dependency therefrom and hinged movement about the lower part of said first glazed sash and into juxtaposition therewith.

5. A collapsible storm window assembly for mounting on the outside top jamb of a window frame comprising expansible mounting means for pivotally mounting said storm window on said window frame, an upper storm sash connected to said expansible mounting means, a lower screen sash pivotally connected to said upper storm sash cooperating therewith to cover the opening defined by the window frame, and a second storm sash swingably mounted at the junction of the first storm sash and the screen sash, whereby the second storm sash may juxtapose the screen sash providing a complete storm window or juxtapose the upper storm sash allowing air to pass through the lower screen sash.

6. A folding storm window assembly adapted to be suspended from the top jamb of a window frame and comprising a pair of brackets secured to said top jamb for receiving a pair of elongated sloping hooks, an upper storm sash secured to said hooks, a lower screen sash pivotally connected to said upper sash and cooperating with said upper sash to cover the opening defined by the window frame, and a second storm sash swingably mounted between said upper storm sash and said lower screen sash providing a convertible unit, said sloping hooks always maintaining said storm window assembly biased toward the window frame.

7. A collapsible storm window assembly adapted to be suspended from the top jamb of a window frame, comprising an elongated sash covering the opening defined by said window frame including an upper glazed portion and a lower screened portion of substantially equal size, a pair of expandable hinges between the top end of said sash and said jamb maintaining the sash in biased contact with said window frame at all times, and a second storm sash of approximately half the size of said first sash swingably connected centrally thereof, whereby said second sash may be selectively positioned adjacent said upper glazed portion or adjacent said lower screen portion of said elongated sash.

8. A collapsible window structure, comprising an outer upper storm sash, an outer lower screen sash pivotally connected thereto and cooperating therewith to form a combination storm and screen sash for covering an opening of a window frame but being of greater size to overlap the margin of said opening, an inner storm sash swingably associated centrally of said combination storm and screen sash for selective positioning adjacent said upper storm sash or said lower screen sash, and hinge means for supporting said window structure from a window frame, said hinge means further maintaining said structure at all times against the window frame.

9. A collapsible window structure comprising an outer upper storm sash, a lower screen sash pivotally connected thereto and cooperating therewith to form a combination storm and screen sash for covering an opening of a win dow frame but being of greater size to overlap the margin of said opening, an outer storm sash swingably associated centrally of said combination storm and screen sash for selective positioning adjacent said upper storm sash or said lower screen sash, and hinge means for supporting said window structure from a window frame, said hinge means further maintaining said structure at all times against the window frame.

10. A collapsible combination storm and screen sash unit comprising an upper glazed sash, a lower screen sash, a second lower glazed sash, and means for pivotally connecting the three sashes, whereby said second sash may be swung into a locked position with either of said first sashes, wherein said means comprises a three-leaf hinge, whereby both lower sashes may be swung inwardly and upwardly inside the upper sash.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

